Mountain Lion Facts for Search and Rescue

The mountain lion, Felis concolor, or cat of one color, is also known as cougar, panther, ghost cat, catamount, and puma. The mountain lion is the largest feline carnivore of North America. Adults are tawny to chocolate-brown with black tips on their ears and their long tails.

Mountain Lion track photo by Mark Wienert

Mountain Lion Facts

On average, females measure 7 feet from nose to tail and weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.

Males may reach up to 8 feet in length and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds. Largest recorded mountain lion weighed in at 276 lbs.

How to recognize the presence of Mountain Lions in urban environments

One of the immediate ways to suspect the presence of mountain lions is to be aware of the big cat’s preferred prey.

A Mountain lion’s preferred prey in urban areas is Columbian Blacktail Deer. Here on the Oregon coast there is plentiful habitat for deer. Where there are deer, it is likely a mountain lion is not far away.

Dogs and cats are easy mountain lion prey

Also in urban area’s, Cougars will feed on easy prey like house cats and dogs. A spike in pet disappearance in the neighborhood, could predict a mountain lion in the area.

The risk to domestic pets is higher if fluffy or fido fed or left outside, especially at night. Cougars will eat your pets food and dogs chained outside can be easy prey for the big cat.

Track Description

How to measure the print of a Cougar or Dog

Measure the width of a track at the widest part. The track length from the end of the tracks heel to the nail. Or, if no nails are present then measure from heel to the end of the longest toe length or digit.

Use these measurements to decide if the tracks fall within the average measurement. If it does, then check to see if claw tracks are visible, make sure to measure the track length including claws.

How to tell the difference between cat and dog tracks

Lion Track in mud. Photo by Mark Wienert

Dog tracks are often mistaken for cougar tracks.

Dog paws do not have retractable claws or nails as mountain lions do. And lion tracks have a shape, like a circle.

Unlike a dog track which has a Maple leaf type shape. Dog tracks are much narrower in width than cats tracks.

This is a good cue for the searcher. Cats show their claws in tracks only about 10% of the time, where dogs show their nails 100% of the time.

In the photo on the right, you can imagine the circle shape of the lion track as you trace the track circumference. The track photo on the top of the page may be a better example of the roundness of the feline print.

The diameter of this scat; 1″. Photo by Mark Wienert

Mountain Lion Scat

Scat consists of droppings left by any animal. Spore size is best determined by measuring the diameter of the scat then the length.

Scat: ¾” to 1” average diameter, is tubular and segmented. With at least 1 blunt end containing deer hair, bones, and grass.

lion scat can vary in size and shape. An example of non typical scat is when cougars gorge on fresh prey. Their scat is no longer distinct and segmented but a pile with no recognizable tubular shape at all.

The Ghost Cat, in my experience, does not always cover its scat such as a house cat will do. More often I have found cougar scat uncovered and in plain sight.

This specific scat specimen in the photograph. Is unusual to us because of the white substance on the outside of the scat. Cougars carry this white substance in their intestinal tract. We also found lion tracks in the immediate area supported our findings. Notice the Yarrow flower stalk for size comparison.

Other types of Mountain Lion Sign

Scent Scrapes

Cougar territorial scent scrape. Photo by Mark Wienert

Cougars will communicate their territories to each other. They do this by scraping together a pile of debris using their paws. They then urinate on the pile. This is a scent scrape.

The scent scrapes can measure up to 1 ft diameter. Cougars scrape together a pile of debris, which may include mosses and leaves as in the photo to the right.

Or use other detritus such as sticks and conifer needles to mark their territory. The cougar will then spray the piles with their urine. Thus ensuring communication with other cats.

The scent scrapes are territorial intersections where other cougar areas overlap. To confirm the cougar scent scrape yourself, bend down and give the pile a quick whiff. If it has a strong cat-like scent it’s a cougar scrape.

Reproduction

Mating Season: from December to March, but can happen at any time during the year. Gestation: 82-96 days. Litter size: 2-4 kittens.

Mountain lions can:

Bound 30 to 40 feet running

Leap 15 feet up a tree

Climb over a 12-foot fence

Travel many miles at 10 mph

Reach speeds of 50 mph in a sprint

Take down adult elk

Hunting Prey

Lions kill 1-2 deer a week and will hide and guard large carcasses and feed on them for several days. Caution: if you discover an animal such as a deer or elk covered or partly covered in debris. Leave the area immediately and report the site to SAR Command. Mountain lions will protect their kills and may be aggressive.

One lion can consume up to 20 or 30 pounds of meat in a single meal.

Mountain Lion diets consist of:

Elk

deer

bighorn sheep

mountain goats

moose

beaver

coyotes

porcupines

raccoons

mice

ground squirrels

rabbits

skunks

birds

cats

dogs

Mountain lions do prey on other lions if no other game is available.

Protect your pets

Dogs and cats left outside overnight when chained with an active lion in the area are easy prey.Don’t feed pets outside or leave pet food feeding bowls out. Pets left outside at night may draw in hungry lions.

“The odds are better you will be struck by lightning than attacked by a Mountain lion”

Cougars coming and going. Photo by Mark Wienert

Range – The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles.

Lifespan – Mountain Lions live an average of 8-10 years in the wild and can live up to 20 years in captivity.

Lifestyle – Mountain lions live solitary lives. A mother mountain lion and its kittens live together until the kitten is old enough to survive on its own

Breeding Habits – Female mountain lions breed for their first time between one and a half and three years of age.

Lion kitten lifespan –on an average only 1 in 6 survive

Dominant males may kill juveniles within their territories leaving juveniles in marginal habitat. This can lead to starvation or encounters with humans.

In California where Fish and Game laws protect the big cats from hunting. 75% of the kittens do not live to be two years old.

Bounty Hunting of Mountain Lions

Bounty hunting of Mountain Lions began as early as the 1600’s in North America. Early settlers feared predators believing they had a negative effect on game populations.

By the 1900’s predators were killed in astonishing numbers. The killing of so many predators caused a disastrous effect on the ecosystem in some areas. Loss of wolves and cougars led to overpopulation of deer and other herbivores. Resulting in overgrazing, increased erosion, and decline in the long-term health of ecosystems.

Human and Cougar Conflict

A scientific review of records on attacks on humans by mountain lions in the United States and Canada. Starting from 1890 through 1990. Indicated there were 53 mountain lion attacks on humans during this period. Nine attacks resulting in 10 human deaths, and 44 non-fatal attacks. At least 10 attacks since 2000 to present in the U.S. resulting in death from lion attacks.

Oregon has remained attack-free for more than 100 years. This number could change based on a suspected cougar attack in Oregon.

In the event that you meet an aggressive Mountain Lion:

Maintain eye contact at all times, and never turn away from the lion – extremely important.

Stand up straight, with arms above your head to appear larger.

Back away very slowly for when the lion is guarding a kill or den.

Throw rocks or sticks and yell at the animal if it approaches.

Fight back If the cougar does attack.

If you play dead with a Mountain Lion, you will be.

*Remember above all DO NOT RUN! No cat can resist the instinct to give chase.

Hiking and camping in mountain lion habitat

Do not hike alone

Go in groups of adults supervising children

Avoid dawn and dusk excursions.

Keep children close to you. Animals seem especially drawn to children.

Pick up, small children. The mountain lion will see small children as easier prey.

Do not approach a lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation, so give them a way to escape.

Do not run from a lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase.

Do not crouch down or bend over. A human standing does not resemble a mountain lion’s natural prey.

Do carry Bear Spray.

Defending against an aggressive Mountain Lion

Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.

Fight back if attacked. Mountain lions usually try to bite the head or neck area; try to stay standing and face the attacking animal.

The eyes of cougars are especially sensitive. Use any sharp object, pen, stick, to jab into eye socket.

Bear pepper spray is a recommended deterrent for use against an aggressive and attacking lion.

Washington State

Recent Mountain Lion Sightings Coos County Oregon

5/12/2014 evidence of a cougar Tuesday down Mobilane Road, a gravel street near Charleston OR. Kinyoun said that cougar sightings could end up being anything from dogs and raccoons to a bobcat.

North Bend for the second straight day, reports of a mountain lion sighting was on the North Bend Police logs for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 9:27 a.m., Chinook/Roosevelt,“Mountain lion sighting, occurred 9-7-15 @ approximately noon.”

A woman reported Monday her husband had seen a cougar walking along the tree line at North Bend Medical Center in Coos Bay. Coos Bay Capt. Cal Mitts said officers who went to the center, 1900 Woodland Drive, were unable to find any tracks.

“We have not had one in that area that has proven to be a cougar but we have had sightings,” Mitts said, referring to three or four reports in the last couple of years.”

Cougar Warning, Aug. 27 Police in Florence have warned residents to be on the lookout for wandering cougars. There have been several sightings reported in the Munsel Lake Road area, around Coastal Highlands and Kingwood Street.

Verified Mountain Lion Attacks in California

Verified Mountain Lion attacks on humans in California (1986 through 2014). The CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) defines a mountain lion attack as an incident resulting in direct physical contact between a human and a mountain lion resulting in physical injury or death to the person.

CDFW considers a mountain lion attack to be verified only when a physician, law enforcement officer or CDFW personnel find the injuries are caused by a mountain lion.

The Beast in the Garden. Warning from Mark, if you read Baron’s book you may never go outside again. The Cougar: Beautiful, Wild and Dangerous by Paula Wild. And, Cat Attacks and True Stories and Hard Lessons from Cougar Country by Dean Miller.

Comments

I live in the Applegate Valley in southern Oregon. As a very active equestrian, I do a lot of trail and backcountry riding, and, while I’ve never seen a mountain lion (we call them cougars around here) on one of my rides, I’ve seen both cougar prints and cougar kills, mostly riding up in and around the foothills. Over the years, I’ve heard stories of goats, pigs and other livestock being killed by cougars here in the valley, and we’ve had recent sightings, including a cougar that killed a deer in plain sight close to the Applegate Cafe, not two miles from my property. Our cats and dogs live inside for the most part so no worries there, but I always bring my horses and goats in each night as well, just to be safe.

A few months ago, driving to meet some friends for a very early morning ride, I was especially glad I have this practice. It was about 4:30 am and still quite dark as I pulled out of my driveway and headed down the road in front of our house. I thought to myself “I’d better slow down so I don’t hit an animal.” It was maybe three seconds later that something jumped out from the right side of the road and landed directly in front of me before it bounded off to the left.

What I’d seen clearly in my headlights was my first and, thus far, only cougar sighting. I don’t know how long I drove, bug-eyed, mouth wide open, before I said, “Holy shit,” and realized what I’d just seen—a large, stunningly beautiful mountain lion not a half mile from my house!

I almost turned back to check on my goats, but I knew they were still warm and snug in their stall in the barn and the cat’s trajectory was heading away from my property.

But I’ll never forget that moment and I know now, for sure, we have cougars in our area!

Hi Mark – thank you for the mountain lion info. Soooo sorry i missed your presentation. Shared your lion info with a group of women I ride with on Tuesdays. Most knew nothing of what to do in a lion encounter. They thanked you very much for your time and trouble to put the information together. We are better informed now as we ride through the woods. Again thank you for sending it to me. Judi P.

Just before I moved away from California in 96, I was at a friend’s house in San Clemente a mile or two east of town. He lives in one of those housing communities (trac housing). Nice homes though. As I was pulling out of the community, turning west on El Camino Real, There was a Mt. Lion standing on the corner under a street light, with a black cat hanging limp in it’s mouth. It pranced across the street into the dark, and thats the last I saw of it.

Was very common to see “missing cat” signs all over. I believe most are taken by Coyotes and large Owls, but not this particular one this night. People never seem learn the lesson.

When I was a teenager in Marin county California, I had planned to meet my younger sister at a redwood grove in the hills for a picnic. She left before I did and I rode my horse. Coming down the steep hillside, the mare suddenly stopped, whirled around and ran back up the hill. What is the matter with you? I asked her and tuned her back. She did not want to go down there, but she did so because I asked. We got down to the creek. Then I heard the most horrible sound I had ever heard in my life. It was wailing, deep growling and shrieking. Like a maniac raving, like a woman being killed, like something from outer space. In my adrenaline filled mind the only thought I had was that whatever it was, it must have my sister. I tied the mare to a tree and found a heavy limb to use as a weapon. I went hunting for that thing, whatever it was. Then I saw something moving on the other side of the creek. It was a mountain lion, flowing over the rocks like melted butter. I ran back to my horse and galloped out of there. Away up the watershed I came upon my sister sitting by the barn. Dis you hear that she asked? Yes, I said, I saw that.

I live in Missouri and before mountain lions even made their way back into the state, I was always afraid of one coming up behind me while going to my car after work late at night. Not long after this fear began, it was confirmed that mountain lions were being spotted in MO. My fear eventually left. Skip 5 years later, we moved to the country and we have a dog kennel on the other side of our back yard. I started getting that mountain lion fear again, that one would attack from behind when I go out to do the night feeding. Then my neighbor calls one night and said she had a mountain lion with cubs 4 in her yard. Then two weeks later, my step dad saw the momma around noon on the edge of our back yard. Just this morning, my mom saw her and two of her cubs, so we went tracking and found all kinds of paw prints from momma in the mud, paw prints from cubs in the snow, scat and even some claw marks where it appears the momma was digging for something in a hole. This is very unsettling because I have 3 children, my neighbors on both sides of us each have 2 children and we all have animals, including dogs, cats, horses and chickens. It wouldn’t be so scary if the momma didn’t have cubs, but the fact that she has cubs and crosses our property every night and sometimes during the day means that she isn’t so scared and shy of us and she has babies to protect. I left a message for the game warden since I have proof she is here. I took pictures of the prints and covered one with a bucket to preserve for the warden. I also took pictures of the scratch marks, the scat and bagged the scat for them. I just want them relocated. A female says there will be males populating the area and with cubs suggests that at least one male has already inhabited the area. I taught my kids mountain lion safety just in case they ever see one…..I can’t ban them from playing outside. This was our home first!

Hi Rena, Thank you for sharing your mountain lion story. I would like to see your pictures of the tracks if you would share with us. And if you have taken photo’s of the scat we would like to see those photo’s. Do you have a lot of deer near your home?

I understand in many places the Whitetail populations have grown to the extent that the numbers of car accidents have increased to dangerous levels. Having the deer’s natural predator keeping the Whitetail populations under control is beneficial for everyone while keeping the deer populations healthy.

We know that mountain lions were here first but I understand your concern for you and your family’s safety. Sounds like your intuition is working good and warning you about the big cats. We have lions were we live. They usually follow the Elk as these large animals are cougars #1 food in Oregon. So when the Elk are around we find cat sign. Keep us updated on what the Wardon says.

The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages anyone with information about a mountain lion sighting to file a report with the Mountain Lion Response Team at [email protected]. Informational link by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Thank you Rena.